Young voters more fickle

Sunday

Nov 4, 2012 at 6:00 AMNov 4, 2012 at 2:43 PM

In 2008 they were fired up with hope and change, believing they could make a difference, but four years later many young voters appear to be disillusioned and exploring their options. For some, that may mean a less enthusiastic vote for the president; for others, a switch to the Republican ticket or a decision not to vote.

By Hoamy Tran and Sean Mensah SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

EDITOR’S NOTE: The stories in this young voter package were written by interns Hoamy Tran, a sophomore at Clark University; Sean Mensah, a senior at Anna Maria College; and Eleanor Hurd, a junior at Clark University. Along with Clark University junior Sarena Byrne, these interns are part of an election year reporting collaboration between the Telegram & Gazettte and the Colleges of Worcester Consortium.

In 2008 they were fired up with hope and change, believing they could make a difference, but four years later many young voters appear to be disillusioned and exploring their options. For some, that may mean a less enthusiastic vote for the president; for others, a switch to the Republican ticket or a decision not to vote.

A Pew Research Center poll in September showed 52 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds were interested in this year’s elections, down from 69 percent in 2008.

“Looking at the numbers, this year’s (young) voter turnout will be relatively low; it is likely to see some turnout, but not the historical turnout of 2008,” said Jocelyn Kiely, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center. “This time around people are less likely to follow candidates and their campaigns. Young people are not engaged and not interested in either candidate’s platform, giving them another reason not to vote.”

Voters 18 to 24 were the only age group to show a statistically significant increase in turnout in the 2008 presidential election, reaching 49 percent, up from 47 percent in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What’s different for them now?

The historic nature of the 2008 election is no more, observers note. This is not the first time an African-American could be elected president. The revolutionary image in itself appealed to the younger crowd, and then-candidate Barack Obama’s goals of hope and change resonated in many young people’s minds. Additionally, Mr. Obama used social networking as a tool to reel in the younger crowd, paying attention to them in a special way that hadn’t been done before. Many young people voted on his ideals and promises. They wanted to be part of the national political scene and establish how government would play a role in their lives.

During Mr. Obama’s 2008 campaign, he was indeed a “breath of fresh air,” said Donald R. Brand, a professor and chairman of the political science department at the College of the Holy Cross. Four years ago, as a relative unknown, Mr. Obama “campaigned on hope and change, and he brought with him bipartisan ideals that would change Washington.” But “there is less enthusiasm this time around for the elections, and Barack Obama,” said Mr. Brand.

Not only is the historic nature of the election gone, the American landscape has changed. Young voters today cite concerns such as financial assistance in higher education — with student debt at more than $1 trillion — high unemployment, national security and health care as issues that define this year’s election.

Some feel the government has failed them, particularly on economic issues, including the struggle to find jobs while dealing with student loans.

Zach Charland, 18, a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and first-time voter, said he voted but admitted he was not thrilled about it.

Mr. Charland believes that the issues brought up in the campaigns mainly target the older generation. He says his understanding of the economy and struggle for employment comes from hearing about the issues from people around him, and it’s not until you experience the issues that you completely know what they are about.

Nina Anastacio, a freshman at Anna Maria College, said student loans are her biggest concern. “I feel that financial aid is extremely important. This is something that really affects students; how are they going to pay for college?” she said. “My education is very important to me; the government has to provide a better option for those who can’t afford college. I want to be able to have a job in the future where I can provide opportunities for my community and my school.”

“Having a good, affordable education is key to improving our economy,” said Grace Berry, a WPI sophomore. “We can’t have a generation of students in debt with no jobs. How does that help our economy? As a nation we must come up with affordable ways for students to attend college. We are the leaders of the future and the American government should be providing us with some more financial aid assistance when it comes to college.”

Solly Ross, 19, another WPI student, voted by absentee ballot in Connecticut. He also thinks the candidates haven’t touched upon issues that relate to young voters, such as copyright issues and Internet rights. How young people connect with one another, their everyday use of social media and technology play a significant role in young people’s lives, he said, especially when it comes to the right to information and freedom from censorship.

He believes that the lack of excitement comes from the age gap between young people and older candidates who did not grow up in an era of booming technology.

For other young people, there is a sense their single vote will have little or no effect, leading them to believe voting is essentially pointless.

“In a lot of cases I think it’s hard for people to believe that your one vote can make a difference,” said Hannah Martin, 19, of Maine, a sophomore at Clark University. “They have to wonder if they have any real sway in who should be elected president.”

Differences in life situation play a factor in young people’s levels of political engagement, said Sharon Krefetz, professor of political science at Clark University. If you are a single young adult, you are less likely to engage in issues like public education. Lower voter turnouts also derive from the fact that college students are less likely to own property or have children, and consequently, many of the key campaign issues, they feel, have no direct relation to their personal lives.

A belief that other strategies may be more useful in addressing social and economic ills may also be at play.

The Harvard University Institute of Politics reported that 31 percent of young people believe community volunteerism is better way to solve issues. Only 19 percent choose political engagement. “Young people are more likely to help those who are in need; it’s more of a social, human issue for them, not a political issue,” said Jack P. Calareso, president of Anna Maria College.

Although both the Obama and Romney campaigns have reached out to attract young voters, CIRCLE’s mid-October youth poll, commissioned by the Youth Engagement Fund, shows young people are not as excited about Mr. Obama as they were in 2008, but they are distrustful of Mitt Romney.

The poll surveyed nearly 1,700 people 18 to 29 in June and July and polled them again in October.

Those who were “extremely likely to vote” favored Mr. Obama 52 percent to 35 percent over Mr. Romney in October. Nine percent were uncommitted. About 60 percent said they are disappointed or angry with the Republican candidate; 9 percent said they admire him. Since June and July, support for the president has risen more than 7 points among likely voters, from 45 percent who said they supported Mr. Obama this past summer.

But even with their hesitation about Mr. Romney, data shows young voters are still more willing to vote for the Republican ticket compared to the last time around. Mr. Obama had 66 percent of the youth support in November 2008; now he is 14 points behind where he was then.

What impact will young voters — who historically have voted Democrat — have on Tuesday’s election? They could surprise polltakers and boost their record 2008 turnout. Or perhaps not, and reaffirm a social narrative that says youth voters are more apathetic toward politics this year.

Mr. Brand, the Holy Cross political science professor, believes that numbers and myths do not have any long-term impact.

“Young people are less attached to the electoral process. For some of them, it’s the first election they’ve voted in, so it’s not a habit yet,” he said. “Even if they turn out in fewer numbers in this particular election, I wouldn’t expect that to reflect long-term participation rates.

“Young people may turn out to vote in greater numbers than we anticipate because of closeness of the election. I think there’s been so much drama and excitement associated with how close the election has become that that might galvanize people to turn out.”